v2.4.0.6

PARTNERS' EQUITY Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2011
Distributions Made to Limited Partners and General Partner [Line Items] |  |
Distribution paid date | February 10, 2012 |
Cash distributions paid to partners | $ 89,076 | $ 79,616
Distribution paid per limited partnership unit | $ 1.095 |
Cash distributions per unit applicable to limited partners (distribution earned) | $ 1.095 | $ 1.075
Distribution payment date (distribution earned) | May 11, 2012 |
Distribution date of record (distribution earned) | May 08, 2012 |
Total cash distributions (distribution earned) | $ 89,076 | $ 79,616

X
- Definition Distribution date of record for distribution earned during the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_DistributionDateOfRecord
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Distribution payment date for distribution earned during the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_DistributionPaymentDate
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Distribution amount per limited partnership unit outstanding earned during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_DistributionPerLimitedPartnershipUnitOutstanding
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | us-types:perUnitItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ns_DistributionsMadeToLimitedPartnersAndGeneralPartnerLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total amount of distributions earned during the period for each class of partners. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ns_TotalCashDistributions
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Date of distribution for distribution of cash, stock, or units to a member or limited partner of LLC or LP. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DistributionMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerDistributionDate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Per-share or per-unit cash distributions paid to a common shareholder or unit-holder by an LLC or LP. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DistributionMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerDistributionsPaidPerUnit
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total distributions to each class of partners (i.e., general, limited and preferred partners). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187171-122770 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 87-21 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Practice Bulletin (PB) -Number 14 -Paragraph 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration